Green Cleaning Tips You Want to Use

Despite the evidence from scientists, our leaders refuse to accept what is happening to the planet as a result of the effects of global warming. It is hard to believe how those elected officials can so easily dismiss this growing crisis in favor of big business and profits due to a love more of greed than humanity. Therefore, it is up to us to do what we can to be more responsible and better the earth. Here are some thrifty green cleaning tips that you don’t want to ignore that can help both the planet and your budget.

Most of us have quite a few cleaning products to tackle the variety of different chores. Yet, we can often streamline what cleaning supplies we need for green cleaning with multitasking products or DIY nontoxic cleaning sprays and homemade cleaners to other natural alternatives like vinegar and lemon.

If you feel like those types of green cleaners don’t disinfect enough, then another of the thrifty eco-friendly cleaning tips is infusing those homemade cleaners with rosemary leaves, lavender, sage or thyme in a little water first before adding to your blend. You can also incorporate the essential oils of those same natural ingredients in the homemade cleaner instead if it is more convenient for you.

Others of us rely too heavily on disposable paper towels and napkins that later need to be thrown out. A better alternative is to stop the waste. You’ll save trees and money by buying cotton cloths and cotton napkins that can be laundered or e-cloth products for general cleaning.

If you never heard of e-cloth, it is an interesting fiber that uses water to charge the fabric’s molecules to trap the dirt, bacteria, grease, etc. You rinse it with more water, wring it out and it can tackle more and later thrown in the laundry using regular detergent.

On the same note, cleaning with dish scrubbers, sponges and the like harbor more bacteria than you can imagine from daily food and germs that build up since they are not washed frequently. Instead, another of the thrifty eco-friendly cleaning tips is replacing them with one that you can easily make from a nylon mesh bag, like a typical onion bag.

To make your own homemade scouring scrubber, cut the onion bag apart and then throw it in your washing machine. I found that just folding a fresh one and sprinkling bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) is fantastic as non-abrasive cleanser. You won’t believe the foaming scrubbing power that can be had to clean your sink or bath tub with this eco-friendly cleaning duo. Afterwards, I just throw this homemade scrubber to the laundry or toss after a few times.

In discussing these green cleaning tips, another suggestion is grating a bar with enough to insert in your onion bag, twist it to keep it inside, then scrub away. This is great for cleaning dishes and throwing to the wash.

Speaking of baking soda for thrifty and green cleaning, it is also wonderful for scouring out your coffee pot that has gathered stains better than my old method of using salt. Baking soda is also fantastic for cleaning some stains from china dishes like coffee cups.  You can also use baking soda for some health issues.

Keeping an open box of baking soda in your refrigerator helps keep the contents smelling fresher. Baking soda also deodorizes your carpets in the same way. I like to occasionally sprinkle it over the carpeting, allowing it to settle into the fibers for a while, then take a vacuum to it. Anyone with pets would appreciate the value of baking soda for carpet care.

Soda crystals or washing crystals are another interesting way to keep the planet healthier. The wonderful thing about using these crystals for household cleaning for jobs like bathrooms, work surfaces to mirrors is that they are also biodegradable without phosphates, enzymes or bleach. You can also try my healthier bleach alternative.

To clean mildew in the bathroom, you might want to give borax a try. You got to be careful when using this because borax can irritate the eyes. Therefore, I always wear some sort of protective eye wear while using a damp cloth that you sprinkled some of it with. I like to make a thicker sort of paste to wipe down the bathroom tiled walls in the morning. First, I let it stay on with the borax paste until late afternoon since it helps control mold growth, then later brush the excess and rinse.

We all have to do our parts to save the planet. I hope that you try these few of my favorite thrifty green cleaning tips and DIY nontoxic cleaning recipes that I shared.